Gear Reviews

Effects, Pedals  |  No. 158

Meris: LVX Modular Delay Pedal

reviewed by Dan Knobler

The Meris LVX is exactly the delay unit I have been dreaming of. Lucky for me, it’s also the delay unit that the folks at Meris have been dreaming up for over two years, and it's a masterclass...

Dynamics, Effects  |  No. 158

Empirical Labs: PUMP 500 Series Compressor

reviewed by Scott McDowell

The latest compressor from Empirical Labs is similar to Ike and Tina Turner’s classic cover of “Proud Mary,” in that it ranges all the way from nice to rough. Like its older sibling,...

Effects, Pedals  |  No. 158

Eventide: H90 Harmonizer Multi-Effects Pedal

reviewed by Jonathan Saxon

Looking for a new effects pedal and want to know if the Eventide H90 Harmonizer is a good fit for a recording rig? Well, it absolutely is a good choice for recording situations. However, is it a good...

Effects, Plug-Ins, Software  |  No. 150

MAAT Labs GmbH: FiDef JENtwo Psychoacoustic Processor Plug-In

reviewed by Garrett Haines

This is a new one. FiDef is a psychoacoustic process MAAT licensed from FideliQuest LLC for inclusion in thEQblue (which is a sweet EQ – but that’s a different discussion). Now available...

Effects, Plug-Ins, Software  |  No. 150

Raising Jake Studios: True Mid/Side Plug-In

reviewed by Larry Crane

Every stereo mix has a phantom center, or middle channel. This “mid,” includes any audio that is not panned (or recorded) exclusively to the right and left “side” channels, and...

Effects, Plug-Ins, Software  |  No. 150

Universal Audio: AMS DMX Digital Delay & Pitch Shifter UAD Plug-In

reviewed by Dana Gumbiner

Hailing from 1978, and peppered throughout several classic recordings in the ‘80s and ‘90s, the AMS DMX 15-80 S was the world’s first microprocessor-controlled, 15-bit digital delay...

Effects, Software  |  No. 150

dbx: 520 De-Esser Dynamics Processor

reviewed by Don Gunn

In our world of recording gear, there are plenty of “classics” when one thinks of compressors, mic preamps, or microphones. However, one particular piece of gear that usually isn’t...

Dynamics, Effects  |  No. 147

Hazelrigg: VNE Tube Compressor

reviewed by Jeremy Wurst

I believe we’ve all been overlooking Hazelrigg Industries for quite some time as a purveyor of excellent audio equipment. I recently had the opportunity to demo the Hazelrigg Industries VNE...

Dynamics, Effects  |  No. 147

Crucial Audio: Studio-Nugget Analog Tube Delay

reviewed by Geoff Stanfield

When I have a new piece of gear in my hands for review I always ask myself some questions. Do I need it? How simply will it integrate into my workflow? Will it improve my process, mixes, or...

Effects, Plug-Ins, Software  |  No. 146

FabFilter: Timeless 3 Delay Plug-In

reviewed by Dave Hidek

FabFilter has a reputation for taking common effects plug-ins, such as compression and EQ, then elevating them to new, mind-blowing levels of utility and complexity. I’m used to thinking,...

Effects, Software  |  No. 146

McDSP: Royal Q & Royal Mu APB Plug-Ins

reviewed by Don Gunn

A few months after releasing the MC-3 multi-band compressor plug-in [Tape Op #142] for APB (Analog Processing Box) users, Colin McDowell and the rest of the McDSP crew introduced the Royal Q...

Effects, Software  |  No. 146

Delta Sound Labs: Fold 1.1 Distortion Synthesis Plug-In

reviewed by Dana Gumbiner

Here’s a new affordable, CPU-friendly, and intuitive distortion and saturation plug-in available for both Windows and Mac environments. Fold is from US-based indie developers Delta Sound Labs,...